Constellations: A Guide to the Night Sky

Gemini

The Jellyfish Nebula (IC 443, Sharpless 248) is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Gemini. It lies at an approximate distance of 5,000 light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 12. The nebula can be found between the stars Mu and Eta Geminorum, at the foot of one of the celestial … [Read more…]

The Geminids are an annual meteor shower that usually occurs from December 7 to 17 and peaks around December 13 or 14. The Geminids typically have a zenithal hourly rate of 75 or more meteors. The meteor shower is produced by 3200 Phaethon, an object long suspected to be a Palladian asteroid that has an … [Read more…]

The Eskimo Nebula is a bipolar planetary nebula located in Gemini constellation. It is sometimes also known as the Clown Face Nebula. The nebula has the designation NGC 2392 in the New General Catalogue. It got the nickname Eskimo because its shape resembles a head wearing a fur-lined parka hood.

The highlights of the night sky in March include: 9 PM, western sky – Jupiter high above the horizon after sunset 9 PM, southern sky – Gemini constellation high overhead with the bright stars Castor and Pollux, and the open cluster Messier 35 9 PM, southern sky – Cancer constellation with the famous open cluster … [Read more…]